With one fell swoop, Silver grabbed Shadow by the throat, as easily as he threw the buck before, Shadow was off the ground, flung against a tree. A loud crack sounded though out the woods. Silver walked over to the defeated Shadow.

Misty whimpered. Shadow was breathing, but just barely. He was a spoiled alpha that tried so hard to live up to his parents' legacy that he fell prey to the power and she hated everything he had done, but he was right about some things. He was still her brother, if only adopted. In a split second she realized she couldn't let him die. She darted in front of Silver, pushing her head up against his throat and licking his muzzle. "Silver wait!" she said, nuzzling his scruff. "Please don't kill him."

Silver let out a sigh, "Didn't I already tell you I wouldn't?" Silver spoke softly. His tone changed to that of authority. "I am Silver of the Northern Pack. I claim this pack and this territory. Does anyone wish to deny me this claim?" No one spoke. Silver continued. "I claim Misty of the High Moon as my mate. Does anyone wish to dispute my claim?" Again, all were silent. One wolf defeated the pack so easily, then broke Shadow as if he were still a pup. "These kits are mine as well. They are to be protected as any pup in this pack. Does anyone dispute this?" It became clear that not one wolf wanted to dispute anything Silver claimed.

Misty's head shot up in surprise at each claim Silver made and every time the pack stayed silent. Her ears started flicking slightly, waiting for a wolf to break the mold and fight as her adopted parents had taught them all. As they flicked a snicker came from the subdued pack. Glancing over Misty saw that it was a wolf called Demon, the pack's bully and the one who was the leader of her tormentors. Her head hung lower as her ears flicked faster, her tail curling under slightly. "I'm going to go get the kits," she said softly, turning to slink back into the cave, away from the pack.

As Misty entered the den, a loud yelp came from outside. Silver's voice echoed in his thunderous tone. "Do you find something funny? Do you see me laughing? Do you see anyone else laughing?" Silver had a paw on the wolf's broken rib. His white eyes shot through to this wolf's dirty soul.

Misty glanced back but didn't interfere, she had left the kits alone for long enough. Safe, but alone. She moved quickly to the collapsed tunnel before lowering her head to the tiny hole she had nudged them into. Cooning softly, Misty huffed out a breath. "Come on out my girls. It's safe now," she said. "You're safe."

Demon's breathing was labored from pain but he still held Silver's gaze, a blatant disregard for Silver's rank. "You're taking THAT as a MATE?" he asked, barking out a laugh. "I mean come on. Have you seen that thing she does with her ears? There's obvious something wrong with her."

"And from now on, you will not be able to do anything with yours. Your face will be as your soul." Silver said this in a calm tone that sent shivers down everyone's back. Silver calmly and with great calculation, separated the wolf from his ears. Furthermore, Silver tore into the wolf's face. The sound of pain resonated throughout the forest. "Those who speak unjustly ill of their Queen shall be subject to my wrath." Silver then turned back to the now disfigured wolf. "What is your name?"

"His name is Demon." Misty's voice spoke up, her voice soft, her heart conflicted. She had come up behind Silver so quietly none had noticed in the wake of the confrontation between Demon and the new alpha. Misty's gaze watched Demon. She was a healer and hated seeing anyone hurt but there was a part of her that delighted in his pain, and that part scared her. Ripping her eyes from Demon's disfigured face she looked down at the kits, nudging them gently to Silver, unable to meet Silver's eyes. She knew this would happen. The whole pack thought this way, though only some stood up to announce it. Her ears started flicking again as her tail curled around her back leg and she lowered her head, avoiding Silver's gaze. She had a strong personality when needed but here, in front of the whole pack, she was reduced to less of a wolf, a scared shell of one that couldn't even meet their gazes.

"Raise your head Misty." Silver spoke with love in his voice. "It is not good for a queen to bow her head." Silver lifted her head with his muzzle. "From now on, Demon will be your personal guard. Demon, every time you look at Misty, you will remember what you lost for not knowing your place." Then Silver got close to Demon. "And if anything should ever happen to her or our kits, I will do more than break you." Silver felt the fear grow inside Demon, his soul quivered from it. "This den will be where I stay. Shadow, keep your den, as soon as you can walk again, you, all of you will begin your training." Silver knew these wounds would have to be tended to. "Where are my messengers?" Silver referenced the only two who weren't broken. Nightmare and the bigger wolf, called Dusk stepped forward.

Misty sighed before nuzzling Silver and licking his muzzle. Stepping close to him she leaned into him for a second, his muscles quivering slightly as her ears flicked wildly, showing her nervousness, not that anyone realized that's what it was from. "Shadow I need to go back to my den soon. There are things I need to take care of there," she whispered softly, nuzzling him again. The kits had started to wander and she gently pulled them close to her and Silver with her tail.

"Demon, escort Misty and the kits. Protect them with your life." Silver commanded. "Dusk, Nightmare I need you to travel to the south. Seek the Desert King. The tortoise. We need a healer as soon as possible, the two best healers are from the desert. Bring them back here, quickly." At that, the two wolves departed for their mission without question.

Misty froze as she heard Silver speak of the healer that lived next to her pack. The Desert King had taught the Sands Pack how to heal and he was the most revered member of their pack, teaching each new generation his knowledge and making the Sands Pack the most renowned healers. Or... were the most renowned healers, Misty thought. Misty was the last surviving member of the Sands Pack after they had been killed and the Desert King had gone into hiding. It was a closely guarded secret that the Pack had been killed and Misty, even as a pup, had promised the Desert King she would keep that secret safe until the pack could rebuild itself enough to be safe again. "Silver wait," she said. "I need to talk with you before you send them out. Please come with me to my den first, it's important." She met his gaze, her eyes pleading with him to know how imperative it was for him to go with her.

Silver thought for a moment. "Dusk, Nightmare, wait. Alright, Demon, stay for now while I have a word with my Mate." Silver walked with Misty. "We have to make this quick, my Love. The pack needs the healers."

Misty's face suddenly became guarded and wary. "How much did he tell you?" she asked. He promised me he would keep my secret as I have kept his, she thought. Did he not keep his promise? "I'm surprised you found him."

Hey I might let my computer charge so if I drop out I'll be back on around 11:29 ish.

Misty's ears flickered, betraying her. "You can't send the Pack there Silver," she said softly. Misty licked the kits absentmindedly as memories flooded her. "Shadow's parents were the only ones who knew what happened and even they didn't know the full story..." Misty's eyes turned haunted as she recalled the night her whole life changed before she shook the memories away.

"Trust me," Silver said assuredly. "I know what I am doing." He licked her muzzle. I am sending not for the tortoise himself, but for the Gila and the Fenic." They will come at my request, and who better to teach my mate her heritage then the best healers of the Desert, the very ones who trained the Sands."

Misty looked up at him. "Silver I haven't even had my life ceremony yet," she said. "The spirits won't accept me yet. The teaching of healing is a spiritual lesson conducted within the spirit world itself only after you have proven to the spirits you are worthy of their trusted secrets."

Oooo what if this teaching lets her shift??? and no one knows about it because only a descendent of the Sands can do it?? <- Do that

"The ceremony takes two healers and one who has already conversed with the spirits." Silver stated. "I will be here with you. My gift from the spirits is not that of healing, but that of sight. I can see into an other's soul. Now, they must be off." Declared Silver. At that he let out a brief howl to signal to Nightmare and Dusk. "Now my Queen, collect Demon and get your old den in order, and hurry home." Silver directed, his voice hinted his love for her.

Shadow looked up to him, his fur matted with blood and his whole body throbbing with pain. "Your Beta," he said in disbelief. "Betas are an Alpha's most trusted second. Every Alpha exiles or kills those they beat in a challenge. Why are allowing me to stay here let alone be your Beta?"

Misty ducked into her den, her eyes lighting on the various herbs and small items she had collected in her years away from the pack. I can't just leave this place, she thought. This is more my home then the pack. Suddenly she had an idea and moved towards the back, slipping into the tunnel passages and heading towards Silver's new den. I'll just finally unblock that passage. She had a brief thought for how Demon would be treated for her disappearance for him but continued on, leaving him behind at her den.

"The Desert is two days run from here." Silver stated. "First thing first, we need to get everyone healed." He didn't answer Shadows question because he found it foolish and pup-like. This was something that needed to be corected. Silver would hunt for the whole pack over the next four days.